'Under the Radar' Value CdP??

[dcornutt]

@Josh Beck

Here’s a different question for the CdP geeks:

Chateauneuf is far too frequently way over the top for my tastes. I really like Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” – it is definitely my favorite, by a long shot. To me it has great minerality and retains freshness and avoid jamminess. As far as other wines – I generally like the base cuvees better than the premier cuvees simply because of ripeness. I like Pegau pretty well but some vintages (03, 06 and 07 lately) have pushed the ripeness to a point I dislike (I’ll take 01, 04, 05 please.

So for someone who likes traditionally made wines, terroir expression, and prefers the more elegant side of Chateauneuf, I am curious what people would recommend.

On the high side… Rayas

In the middle… Charvin and Mont Olivet Papet

On the cheap… Mont Olivet

You could also put in Raymond Usseglio’s Cuvee Imperiale in there.

[Josh_Beck]

I’ve not had Rayas… combining my overall feelings about Chateauneuf vs. other regions and the pricing, I don’t see myself pursuing that one too frequently

The few times I’ve had Mont Olivet wines I thought they were decent but I recall being overly impressed. I seem to recall a lot of garrigue and not a lot of lift/freshness, but perhaps I should revisit.

Sounds like I should definitely investigate Charvin more.

[Keith_A_k_e_r_s]

@Rob MacKay

KL has this, which is quite nice:

2005 Chante Cigale "Vieilles Vignes" Châteauneuf-du-Pape - SKU 1037613" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They used to have the base CdP from Chante Cigale for $25, which was a great deal.

Also - head over to Costco and try this out:

2007 Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de Nalys, France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - CellarTracker" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The price is right and I certainly can’t say that its a bad wine. However, 07 CdRs are killer deals these days so that’s where I am looking.

binny’s also has the 05 base CdP right now for 29.99

http://www.binnys.com/wine/2005_Domaine_Chante_Cigale_Chateauneuf_du_Pape_282353.html


disclosure, I work part-time for binny’s

[Keith_A_k_e_r_s]

@Josh Beck

Here’s a different question for the CdP geeks:

Chateauneuf is far too frequently way over the top for my tastes. I really like Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” – it is definitely my favorite, by a long shot. To me it has great minerality and retains freshness and avoid jamminess. As far as other wines – I generally like the base cuvees better than the premier cuvees simply because of ripeness. I like Pegau pretty well but some vintages (03, 06 and 07 lately) have pushed the ripeness to a point I dislike (I’ll take 01, 04, 05 please.

So for someone who likes traditionally made wines, terroir expression, and prefers the more elegant side of Chateauneuf, I am curious what people would recommend.

josh- as was already noted, charvin and charbonniere certainly fit this mould. Also, Vieux Donjon also fits this mould too(though they are getting more expensive by the vintage)

[Lyle_Fass]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@Josh Beck

Here’s a different question for the CdP geeks:

Chateauneuf is far too frequently way over the top for my tastes. I really like Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” – it is definitely my favorite, by a long shot. To me it has great minerality and retains freshness and avoid jamminess. As far as other wines – I generally like the base cuvees better than the premier cuvees simply because of ripeness. I like Pegau pretty well but some vintages (03, 06 and 07 lately) have pushed the ripeness to a point I dislike (I’ll take 01, 04, 05 please.

So for someone who likes traditionally made wines, terroir expression, and prefers the more elegant side of Chateauneuf, I am curious what people would recommend.

from personal experience: Charbonniere

from what I’ve heard: Charvin

Monpertuis all the way. So under the radar. Two wines. Classique and the higher-end Tradition. Great stuff.

[Jody_Smith]

Santa Duc is over in Gigondas, but Im putting down an 04 prestiges right now and seems like something you’d like. I think it was around 35 bucks. I actually prefer this to the 03 Pegau from last weekend.

[jcoley3]

Monpertuis is a great call. It sometimes gets sold under the Jaume name - I forget which one.

Charbonniere as well.

Chante Cigale as well, too.

I have seen signs of life at Clos des l’Oratoire des Papes as of 2006.

Clos du Mont Olivet has after left me disapppinted.

Brusset ‘Les Hauts de Montmirail’ is a Gigondas that competes with CdP in this price point. Not sure if this is in the U.S. with the demise of Newcastle.

[Dennis_Atick]

I would add the Elisabeth Chammbellan VV I had last night to the value list.
Pretty fine for $25 in '06

[Daniel_McNiff]

We (work) met with the Louis/Dressner people last week to discuss what we would bring in for the fall and got to taste three '07 CdR’s from Eric Texier and they were pretty darn good. They should be between 15-22$ retail, retail freshness, abstain from loads of glycerin, and had plenty of structure. I am not the biggest fan of Southern Rhone but I really enjoyed them, although was not doing any backflips.


Based on commentary above… If you guys are in Dallas we have the following on closeout (disclaimer)
Dom Caillou CdP 2005 $54.97
Dom Caillou CdP Quarts 2005 $59.99
Dom Caillou CdP Reserve 2005 $110.99
Dom Caillou CdP Reserve 2006 $110.99
Dom Monpertuis CdR Ramiere 2005 $10.97
Dom Monpertuis CdP 2004 $28.97
Dom Monpertuis CdP 2005 $32.97
Dom Monpertuis CdP Tradition 2005 $47.97
If you really really want it we have a Fedex account although we don’t do a whole lot of shipping. (/disclaimer)

[gregolson]

I don’t know what others think about them, but I thought the 2005 line up from Perrin & Fils (Beaucastel) was pretty damned good stuff. The Les Sinards CDP could be had for $25. The rest of the group, Rasteau, Gigondas, etc. were pretty good too and for not a lot of money.

[ToddFrench]

@gregolson

I don’t know what others think about them, but I thought the 2005 line up from Perrin & Fils (Beaucastel) was pretty damned good stuff. The Les Sinards CDP could be had for $25. The rest of the group, Rasteau, Gigondas, etc. were pretty good too and for not a lot of money.

Agreed on Les Sinards, absolutely! Great QPR

[Ben_Sherwin]

Totally disagree with Lyle on the Montpertuis, although Charbonniere is a great call.

Coelho opened an '07 St. Prefert for me and I liked it OK. More fit his palate preference than mine. Of course, I thought it barriqued and he told me it was all concrete, so what do I know.

[C_Zeitler]

Ok guys,

I have seen all the usuall suspects listed - some are very good calls, some not so much,
depending on your taste. I am not sure what gets imported to the US, but the absolute best
value you can find at the moment in Chateauneuf is the Domaine Durieu. The base cuvee
goes for some €16 and the Lucille Avril for some €21. The wines are Grenache based, the
normal Chateauneuf some 70% and Lucille Avril some 80%, aged in Foudres.

I discovered the wines through Harry Karis who has a weak spot for the young winemakers
like Durieu, Baroche or Giraud. Most of them have taken over from their parents in the last
3-5 years and subsequently improved the wines markedly.

Cheers
Christian